Stems 0.8-5 dm. Leaves whorled; petiole 1-7 mm; blade obovate or elliptic to broadly spatulate, 5-25 × 2-17 mm, base cuneate, apex broadly rounded to acute. Flowers in clusters of 3-11; sepals lanceolate or oblong, 4.1-6.8 × 1.1-2.1 mm, stellate-pubescent abaxially, glabrous adaxially, apex long-acuminate to attenuate; stamens 3-5. Capsules ellipsoid, 3-3.5 mm. Seeds 10-25 per locule, red-brown to golden brown, 0.4-0.5 × 0.2-0.3 mm, smooth, highly glossy. 2n = 18.